In a big boost to indigenous defence production, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh-headed Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared 10 significant proposals on Thursday for the procurement of cutting-edge military systems worth around ₹1.05 lakh crore.
All the purchases will be made domestically, further reinforcing India's push for self-reliance in defence.
In a release, the Ministry of Defence stated that the Council approved its Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for a variety of key systems such as Armoured Recovery Vehicles, Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems, Integrated Common Inventory Management System for the Tri-Services, and Surface-to-Air Missiles.
"These procurements will immensely augment mobility, air defence capability, supply chain effectiveness, and overall readiness for operations of the Armed Forces," the Ministry stated.
Additional approvals were granted for acquiring Moored Mines, Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs), Super Rapid Gun Mounts, and Submersible Autonomous Vessels—key assets that will fortify India’s naval defences and ensure the safety of both military and commercial maritime traffic.
Most of the projects fall under the ‘Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)’ category, ensuring maximum involvement of domestic firms and design capabilities.
Indigenous Production Hits Record High
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently revealed staggering numbers, observing that defence manufacturing in India has reached new heights. "Our defence production increased from ₹43,000 crore a decade ago to a record ₹1.46 lakh crore this year," he stated at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) annual summit.
The private sector contributed more than ₹32,000 crore to this number on its own, reflecting its increasingly significant place in India's military-industrial complex. Exports too have seen a staggering increase, standing at ₹24,000 crore in 2024–25, from just ₹600–700 crore a decade ago.
Referring to Make in India as a pillar of national defense and economic development, Singh cited the success of indigenous defense technology in operations such as 'Operation Sindoor,' which he claimed demonstrated India's capability to penetrate even the best-defended enemy positions.
Increasing Global Reach and Industry Support
Indian defence systems, components, and services are now being exported to almost 100 countries, the minister stated. More than 16,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are now part of the defence supply chain, significantly contributing to improving self-reliance as well as creating employment opportunities for lakhs of individuals.
Singh also highlighted the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, pointing to the possibility that it can be a game-changer for India's aerospace industry. "For the first time, a significant defence programme like AMCA will provide the private sector an opportunity to sit at the same table as public sector entities. This is a strong statement of our faith in indigenous abilities," he added.
With these massive plans, the Defence Ministry not only is modernizing the defence forces but also building the groundwork for India becoming a world centre in defence production.
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